The University of Louisville proudly celebrates Graduate Medical Education (GME) Professionals’ Day on August 16. This day honors the important contributions of our GME professionals who work diligently each day to contribute to the field of healthcare as they provide top-notch training to physicians. 

At ULSOM, the GME community includes the faculty members, attending physicians and other medical specialists who are dedicated to guiding our trainees through their clinical and didactic education. The GME community also extends to the University of Louisville staff that serve as GME program coordinators, program managers, and office administrators. It is the hard work of these faculty and staff that shapes the academic environment and culture of the training programs at ULSOM.

Murali Ankem, MD, vice dean of Graduate Medical Education emphasized the significance of the GME community. “Graduate Medical Education is about more than advancing clinical training and hands-on experience across medical specialties. GME is what drives the development of skills, knowledge, and experience that physicians need to provide high-quality patient care, one of the many things at which our GME community excels.”

Extended leadership roles within the GME community allow for faculty members to provide oversight and uphold high training standards that foster a rich educational experience for the trainees who pursue their clinical training at ULSOM.

Theora Hudson, a program manager in the OB/GYN department, recently celebrated her 31^st year as a program coordinator. “As program coordinators, we have the unique role of acting as liaisons between residents and fellows and the faculty, staff, and administrators. While we work to support both the educational and administrative needs of the residents and fellows, we are able to ensure that the GME programs operate effectively while meeting those high standards we strive for as an institution.”

With over 800 trainees throughout the organization, the GME office provides oversight, support, and services, while acting as a central hub for nearly 100 programs to ensure the success of trainees. All members of the GME community, including trainees, faculty, and staff, can benefit from the guidance provided by the GME office for accreditation, certification, visas, licensing, GME finance, recruitment, advocacy and representation, training and development, wellness, support, onboarding, orientation, and contracts.

GME requires a full community of individuals and organizations working together to enhance the future of healthcare. While the professionals within the GME community are experts in the training of physicians, this could not be accomplished without the local healthcare systems that provide state-of-the-art training sites, including UofL Health, Norton Healthcare, and the VA Louisville Healthcare System. Furthermore, the research and academic support that is promoted by the University of Louisville, as well as diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives that support the overall wellbeing of trainees during their tenure at ULSOM, allow for the opportunity to mold well-rounded, inclusive, patient-centered physicians.

“Our GME professionals are not only educators but are leaders who influence the quality of healthcare in our community,” said Jeffrey Bumpous, MD, dean of the School of Medicine. “Their commitment to excellence in training ensures that our physicians are equipped to provide the highest quality of care and advance the field of medicine. We are extremely thankful for their dedication to our trainees under their purview.”

As our GME professionals continue to work to foster a positive learning environment, serving as professional role models and providing rich educational experiences, be sure to thank them for their diligence in developing future physicians and enthusiasm for strengthening healthcare in the community, the country, and across the world.

Happy Graduate Medical Education Professionals Day!